FG moves to establish ‘National Research and Innovation Council’

The Federal Government on Tuesday said plans are in top gear towards establishing the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) and the National Research Fund (NRF) to reduce Nigeria’s overdependence on foreign technology.

Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who disclosed this in Abuja at a high-level policy dialogue and stakeholders engagement on the establishment of the NRIC and NRF, said the initiatives were aimed at transforming Nigeria’s research and innovation landscape.

According to the minister, the president had approved an inter-ministerial committee, under the office of the Vice President to work diligently on a draft Federal Executive Council Memo for the establishment of the NRF.

Nnaji said both the NRIC and NRF are crucial to achieving President Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda which he said focuses on security, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, social welfare, rule of law, and foreign policy.

He said that while the NRIC would set national priorities for research and development, and coordinate Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) activities across sectors, the NRF would provide sustainable funding for transformative research and technological advancements.

He said the President’s recent approval of the inter-ministerial committee demonstrates the administration’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy.

“Additionally, a Bill for the establishment of the NRIC and NRF is currently under review by the National Assembly. This legislation is critical as it will formalize the Council’s mandate and provide the legal basis for sustainable funding. We are optimistic that the National Assembly will recognize the importance of this initiative and expedite its passage as soon as the Federal Executive Council completes its assignment,” he stated.

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The minister urged the NRIC and NRF to prioritize projects that enhance local content in technology and innovation, stressing that “by investing in indigenous innovations, we will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported technology and create jobs, fostering a self- sustaining economy.

Executive Director of African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Prof. Nicholas Ozor, stressed the crucial role of research and innovation in driving socio-economic development, noting that funding is essential for sectoral growth.

He observed that most countries apart from Nigeria have a National Research and Innovation Council, which houses a National Research Fund, to support research and innovation development.

Ozor recalled that African heads of state had pledged to allocate one per cent of their GDP to research and development, but many countries have failed to meet this commitment.

He urged President Tinubu to facilitate the establishment of the National Research and Innovation Council and Fund to support research and innovation in the country.